‘Shameful decision to scrap energy efficiency plans makes situation for renters increasingly bleak’

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has slammed the government’s decision to abandon plans to force private landlords to make draughty and leaky rental properties more energy efficient.

A scheme to ensure all private rental properties have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by 2025 was put forward in 2021.

But the proposal was scrapped in September.

Analysis from the official English Housing Survey revealed 494,000 private rental properties in London alone currently have an EPC rating of band D or below.

Using national data on energy consumption and current energy prices, tenants renting a private property with an EPC rating of D or below in London will be looking at shelling out on average an extra £337 a year to heat their homes, compared to those living in homes rated C or above.

Wasted energy

Citizens Advice reports private renters across England and Wales are set to waste £220 per household this year on energy that leaks out of their walls and windows.

Meanwhile, a survey from the Social Market Foundation – a cross-party thinktank – found 79% of landlords back stricter energy efficiency regulations.

Increasingly bleak

Khan said:

“The situation for many renters in London and across the country is increasingly bleak, with rents soaring and other costs increasing.

“A key thing ministers could have done is helped renters with energy efficiency.

“Scrapping plans for tougher standards is frankly shameful, and will just lead to even higher bills.”